WASHINGTON, July 21, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has declared August 3 through 9, 2014, "National Farmers Market Week". Throughout the week, USDA will celebrate our nation's thousands of farmers markets, farmers who make them possible and the communities that host them.

The declaration was made via an official proclamation signed by Secretary Vilsack. This year marks the 15th Annual National Farmers Market Week recognizing the important role that farmers markets play in the agricultural and food economy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture began declaring National Farmers Market Week in 2000.

"National Farmers Market Week is a great opportunity for farmers markets across the country to host special events to showcase all the tremendous services they provide," said Secretary Vilsack. "Farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support family farms, and help grow rural economies. They bring communities together, connecting cities with the farms that support them and provide Americans across the country with fresh, healthy food."

In honor of National Farmers Market Week, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Anne Alonzo will be at the Dane County Farmers Market located on the grounds of the State Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday, August 2. The Madison farmers market is the largest producer-only farmers market in the U.S. On August 8, the USDA Farmers Market, located at USDA headquarters in Washington, DC, will host a Healthy Back-To-School Challenge to show kids and their families how to cook simple, healthy, and delicious snacks with seasonal ingredients. Other USDA officials will be at other farmers market locations across the country throughout the week.

Thousands of farmers markets across the country offer consumers fresh, affordable, convenient, and healthful products sold directly from the farm. They also offer additional market opportunities for local producers, especially smaller or newer operations. Farmers markets increasingly offer electronic benefits transfer technology that can be used by recipients of USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - as well as low-income women, infants, and children and seniors participating in the WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Programs - to get fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Farmers market development is a cornerstone of the USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the Department's policy, resources, and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems. Secretary Vilsack has identified strengthening local food systems as one of the four pillars of USDA's commitment to rural economic development, along with production agriculture (including expanding export markets and improving research), promoting conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities, and growing the biobased economy.

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Within an inning of pitching consecutive shutouts, Quad Cities holds off Lake County for 2-1 win

DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 20, 2014) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Edison Frias and left-hander Blaine Sims combined to shut out the Lake County Captains until the ninth inning Sunday, and left fielder Ronnie Mitchell threw out the potential game-tying run at home plate for the final out of a 2-1 win in front of 5,758 at Modern Woodmen Park.

Frias (6-5) gave the River Bandits (14-15 second half, 49-49 overall) their second straight shutout start, as he went five scoreless innings for the third time this season. After a perfect first inning, he began the second inning by allowing consecutive singles to first baseman Nellie Rodriguez and second baseman Paul Hendrix before getting left fielder Dorssys Paulino to ground into a double play. A strikeout  ended the inning, which was only one in which Lake County (15-14, 42-57) put a runner at third base before the ninth inning.

In the third inning, Frias allowed a two-out single by shortstop Ivan Castillo - the last Captains hit until the ninth inning - and a walk to center fielder Clint Frazier. But right fielder Mike Papi flied out to left field in his team's last at-bat with a runner in scoring position until the ninth inning. After a fourth-inning leadoff walk by Rodriguez, Frias retired the last six batters he faced. He allowed three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in his longest start and first win since June 27 in Peoria.

Captains right-hander Jordan Milbrath (3-10) kept the game scoreless through three innings. He stranded the bases loaded in the first inning. In the fourth inning, first baseman Chase McDonald hit a leadoff single to center field, and catcher Brian Holberton singled down the first-base line to move McDonald to third base. After second baseman Marc Wik popped out, designated hitter Jake Rodriguez put down his first Midwest League sacrifice bunt down the first-base line to score McDonald.

In the fifth inning, Milbrath allowed consecutive two-out doubles by third baseman J.D. Davis and Mitchell for a 2-0 River Bandits lead. Milbrath allowed two earned runs on six hits and three walks with one strikeout in 5 1/3 innings. Left-hander Wander Beras followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and right-hander Carlos Melo struck out all three batters in the eighth inning to keep his team's deficit at 2-0.

Following Frias, Sims set down seven batters in a row, before designated hitter Brian Ruiz hit a one-out single in the eighth inning to snap a string of 13 Captains retired in order. But Sims picked Ruiz off first base and got a popout to end the inning.

With a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning, Sims issued one-out walks to Papi and Rodriguez to put the tying runs on base. Hendrix then grounded a ball to shortstop Thomas Lindauer, who threw to Wik for a forceout at second base. Wik's errant throw past first base allowed Papi to score the first run against Quad Cities in 17 2/3 innings, and it put Hendrix at second base as the tying run with two outs. Paulino then grounded a single to left field, and with Hendrix running toward home plate, Mitchell threw a one-hopper to Holberton, who tagged Hendrix to end the game. Sims earned his first save since Aug. 29, 2012, by allowing one earned run on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts in four innings. Quad Cities has won consecutive games for the first time since a July 6 home doubleheader sweep of Wisconsin.

In Monday's 1 p.m. series finale, Quad Cities seeks the first-ever season series sweep in the fifth year of the all-time series with Lake County. River Bandits right-hander Adrian Houser (4-4) is scheduled to face Captains right-hander Caleb Hamrick (3-5).

East Moline Correctional Center Hilltop Toastmasters Club ranked as one of the most accomplished Toastmasters International clubs in the world

EMCC Hilltop Toastmasters Club #7889 recently was ranked No. 2 in the world as a club for the number of academic awards achieved. The Club earned seven Triple Crown achievements and 42 individual awards from 2013 to 2014. EMCC's club also was named a member of Toastmasters International's President's Distinguished Club.

"The staff, volunteers and inmates involved with this exceptional honor at East Moline Correctional Center are to be commended," said IDOC Director S. A. "Tony" Godinez. "This is a perfect example that programming is significant in providing invaluable life skills for inmates. Every programming situation in corrections is an opportunity for success. By helping offenders through programming, the outcome is immeasurable and far-reaching. When we make a difference in the lives of inmates, we make a positive impact on their family, friends and our communities."

"East Moline Correctional Center is honored to receive this distinguished recognition," said EMCC Warden Mark Williams. "The center's programming efforts are committed to helping offenders prepare for successful reentry into society as well as contributing to the department's overall goals and mission."

"I am pleased to see the success of the Hilltop Toastmasters Program at East Moline Correctional Center," said EMCC Assistant Warden of Programs Louis Hare. "The interest and growth of this program in the past 2-1/2 years have been inspiring to witness and this ranking has made us all proud. Its high level of success is a testament to the dedication of our volunteers and staff as well as the commitment and passion of our offenders."

Hare noted that to receive a Triple Crown, a Toastmaster must earn three or more individual awards in a year, including Competent Communicator, Advanced Communicator Bronze and Advanced Communicator Silver. Seven of EMCC's Toastmasters have achieved a Triple Crown award the year ending June 30. One of the club's goals for the upcoming Toastmasters year is to exceed this number. To become a member of the President's Distinguished Club, a club must achieve five awards that measure criteria in club growth (new members), club quality (number and type of awards) and administrative compliance (submitting officer lists and dues on time). EMCC's club achieved six awards.

The Toastmasters Program at EMCC boasts 20 full-time offender members and between 10 and 15 casual participants. Three regular volunteers conduct the program two to three hours per week and hold an average of two major local competitions per year. Competitions involve having two of the best speakers from the EMCC club compete against two accomplished speakers from District 19 (3,000 Toastmasters across Iowa). The Club selects a number from their membership, usually 7 or 8, to compete in the Hilltop Competition. A special session is set up where Toastmasters from the outside come in to help judge the competition. A first, second and third best is judged by both club members and those from outside.

New Law Prevents Criminal Background Checks Until After an Applicant is Deemed Qualified for a Job

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to help ex-offenders secure employment in the private sector and become productive members of society. The new law prevents criminal background checks until after an applicant is deemed qualified for a job. Today's action follows an administrative order the Governor issued last year to ensure the same consideration for those seeking state employment. Today's bill signing is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure all Illinois' workers are treated fairly.

"Everyone deserves a second chance when it comes to getting a job," Governor Quinn said. "This law will help ensure that people across Illinois get a fair shot to reach their full potential through their skills and qualifications, rather than past history. It will also help reduce recidivism, fight poverty and prevent violence in our communities by putting more people back to work."

House Bill 5701, sponsored by State Representative Rita Mayfield (D-Waukegan) and State Senator Antonio Muñoz (D-Chicago), prohibits a private employer or employment agency from inquiring about or considering an applicant's criminal history until the applicant has been determined to be qualified for the job and selected for an interview. The new law does not apply to certain jobs where employers must exclude applicants with criminal histories. The legislation, which was recommended by the bipartisan Illinois Employment Restrictions Task Force, is effective January 1, 2015.

"By allowing applicants to undergo the interview process without being judged as unfit for employment because of their background, we will help individuals get back to work, pursue a higher education and become the responsible residents that our state thrives on," Representative Mayfield said. "I believe this legislation will improve the lives of many residents and give them the opportunities they were previously unable to strive for."

"Everyone should have the opportunity to be considered for employment," Senator Munoz said. "This legislation protects people with criminal records from discrimination, gives deserving people a second chance and allows them to be evaluated based on their suitability for a position."

Governor Quinn has supported and developed programs and signed legislation to give people of all ages a second chance in life. Governor Quinn recently signed legislation to automatically clear arrest records for less serious, non-violent juvenile cases. He also signed a law that broadens the list of sealable felonies and adds criteria for courts to use when deciding whether to grant an expungement.

Last year the Governor signed legislation to create a "second chance probation" option for non-violent offenders that allows a conviction to be cleared from a defendant's record upon successful completion of at least a two-year period of probation. He also signed bills to streamline the criminal record expungement and sealing process, and to give the courts discretion or jurisdiction to seal non-conviction records in felony arrests and charges.

In 2013, Governor Quinn issued an administrative order to "ban the box," prohibiting state agencies from asking job applicants about their criminal history before beginning to evaluate the individual's knowledge, skills and abilities. In 2010, he launched the Summit of Hope events to provide assistance to ex-offenders to help them reintegrate safely into society. Since 2010 nearly 80 events have been held across the state serving over 16,000 ex-offenders.